The USDA’s Forest Service published a final rule that expands the use of the Small Tracts Act, giving the agency greater flexibility to resolve land management challenges through the sale, exchange, or interchange of small land parcels.
“The landowners whose properties border national forests and grasslands are not only our neighbors, they are also key partners in sustaining the vitality of the land we manage,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “These changes will improve the way we work with willing landowners to further the health, productivity and connectivity of national forests and grasslands.”
The rule will allow the authority to sell, exchange, or interchange small parcels of land that are 40 acres of less, and are physically isolated, inaccessible, or lack national forest characteristics. The full final rule can be found at federalregister.gov by searching for Docket ID 85 FR 60913.
